Five years after commissioning its first aircraft carrier, the Liaoning, China launched its second carrier – the Type 001A – on April 26, 2017. Unlike its Soviet-built predecessor, the Type 001A is China’s first domestically built carrier. Both carriers are similar in size and use a STOBAR (Short Take-Off But Arrested Recovery) system for the launch and recovery of aircraft. Although similar to the Liaoning, the Type 001A features some notable enhancements and represents an important step in China’s developing aircraft carrier program.

Chinese aircraft carrier – Type 001A – Video

Chinese aircraft carrier – Type 001A – Video

Key Facts

The control tower island of the Type 001A is approximately 10 percent smaller than that of the Liaoning.

It displaces roughly 66,000 – 70,000 tons, a few thousand more tons than the Liaoning.

It features the advanced Type 346 S-band AESA radar system.

Its airwing is expected to be slightly larger than that of the Liaoning, featuring around 8 additional aircraft.

The Type 001A may have an internal arrangement that is better optimized than the Liaoning’s.

All information is subject to change. Figures for the Type 001A are likely to change as more information becomes available. Details of the Liaoning sourced from The Military Balance. Feel free to contact us at chinapower@csis.org with any relevant information.

Explore the Liaoning

The Type 001A shares several similarities with the Liaoning. Explore our 3D model of the Liaoning on our feature page.

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ChinaPower provides an in-depth understanding of the evolving nature of Chinese power relative to other countries. The project examines five interrelated categories of Chinese power: military, economics, technology, social, and international image. Through objective analysis and data visualization, ChinaPower unpacks the complexity of China’s rise.